In Memory Of
Joel D. Hofer
1935
2015
Joel D. Hofer
February 13, 1935 — September 22, 2015
Joel D. Hofer, 80, of Junction City, KS died at Via Christi Hospital, Manhattan, KS on September 22, 2015. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 25, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church. Pastor Laurie Barnes and the Reverend Dr. Jules Glanzer will officate. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service time at the church. A graveside service with military honors will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Friday afternoon following the service at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to be given to the First United Methodist Church 804 N. Jefferson Street Junction City, KS 66441.
Joel was born February 13, 1935, Freeman, SD the Son of Joseph G. and Emma (Mendel) Hofer.
Joel attended school at the Mutchiknaus country school in rural South Dakota then the Freeman Academy in Freeman SD. He received his college education at Freeman Junior College and Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS.
He served 2 years in the U S Army at Ft. Bragg as a member of the 82nd Airborne Corps band. In 1960 he moved to Kanopolis, KS to teach K-12 vocal and instrumental music. In 1963 he moved to Junction City, KS and was the vocal music instructor at the newly constructed Ft. Riley Junior High. Later he spent 6 years working civil service at Ft. Riley, but in 1966 he returned to teaching as the band instructor at the Junction City Junior High. He retired in 1994.
He married Judith Hedrick on August 6, 1966 at the First Presbyterian Church in Topeka, KS.
Joel was always active in his community. He was a 50 year member of Kiwanis, serving as President and on several other committees during that time. He LOVED baseball, coaching summer baseball for many years. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs. He directed choirs in Fayetteville, NC, several chapels on Ft. Riley and churches in Junction City. He served on the board of directors at the St. Francis House in Junction City. He officiated basketball and football games in the area until his first heart attack forced him to retire in 1981. After no longer being able to officiate he worked on the scorer's table at the Junction City High School games for many years. Playing bridge and bowling were his retirement "sports", often playing one or the other twice a week.
Joel had friends everywhere. He never met a stranger, often going over to a table of strangers and joining them…especially young soldiers from Ft. Riley who were stationed so far away from their families. He loved life; he loved people, he loved his family, and he loved his God. He will be greatly missed by all.
Joel is survived by his wife of 49 years and one month, Judith Hedrick Hofer; daughters, Janyth Faye Burkhalter (David) and Jayme Lynn Cantu (Victor) all of Allen, TX; his sister, Zettella Bell of Lenoir City, TN; five grandchildren, Victoria Lynn Cantu, Dillon Austin Cantu, Heather Marie Cantu, Devon Joel Cantu, and Molly Elizabeth Burkhalter all of Allen TX.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant brother, Hollis Hofer and infant sister, Marlys Hofer
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Joel was born February 13, 1935, Freeman, SD the Son of Joseph G. and Emma (Mendel) Hofer.
Joel attended school at the Mutchiknaus country school in rural South Dakota then the Freeman Academy in Freeman SD. He received his college education at Freeman Junior College and Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS.
He served 2 years in the U S Army at Ft. Bragg as a member of the 82nd Airborne Corps band. In 1960 he moved to Kanopolis, KS to teach K-12 vocal and instrumental music. In 1963 he moved to Junction City, KS and was the vocal music instructor at the newly constructed Ft. Riley Junior High. Later he spent 6 years working civil service at Ft. Riley, but in 1966 he returned to teaching as the band instructor at the Junction City Junior High. He retired in 1994.
He married Judith Hedrick on August 6, 1966 at the First Presbyterian Church in Topeka, KS.
Joel was always active in his community. He was a 50 year member of Kiwanis, serving as President and on several other committees during that time. He LOVED baseball, coaching summer baseball for many years. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs. He directed choirs in Fayetteville, NC, several chapels on Ft. Riley and churches in Junction City. He served on the board of directors at the St. Francis House in Junction City. He officiated basketball and football games in the area until his first heart attack forced him to retire in 1981. After no longer being able to officiate he worked on the scorer's table at the Junction City High School games for many years. Playing bridge and bowling were his retirement "sports", often playing one or the other twice a week.
Joel had friends everywhere. He never met a stranger, often going over to a table of strangers and joining them…especially young soldiers from Ft. Riley who were stationed so far away from their families. He loved life; he loved people, he loved his family, and he loved his God. He will be greatly missed by all.
Joel is survived by his wife of 49 years and one month, Judith Hedrick Hofer; daughters, Janyth Faye Burkhalter (David) and Jayme Lynn Cantu (Victor) all of Allen, TX; his sister, Zettella Bell of Lenoir City, TN; five grandchildren, Victoria Lynn Cantu, Dillon Austin Cantu, Heather Marie Cantu, Devon Joel Cantu, and Molly Elizabeth Burkhalter all of Allen TX.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant brother, Hollis Hofer and infant sister, Marlys Hofer
**To leave a special message hit the "Share Memories Tab" above**
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Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, September 25, 2015
9:00 - 10:00 am (Central time)
First United Methodist Church
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